Tyler Moore celebrates his go-ahead, two-run single that gave the Nationals a 3-2 win. / Jeff Curry, US Presswire

by John Perrotto, Special for USA TODAY Sports

by John Perrotto, Special for USA TODAY Sports

ST. LOUIS -- A rookie stepped into the spotlight Sunday and delivered Washington's first postseason baseball victory in 79 years.

But it wasn't that rookie.

On a day when 19-year-old wunderkind center fielder Bryce Harper went 0-for-5 in his first playoff game, lower-profile Tyler Moore hit a two-run, pinch-hit single in the eighth inning to rally the Washington Nationals to a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium.

Moore is pretty much an unknown outside of the nation's capital - no, he isn't related to Mary Tyler Moore - but he gave the Nationals a leg up in Washington's first postseason appearance since the Senators lost to the New York Giants in the 1933 World Series. Washington was without a team from 1972 to 2004 after the Senators moved to Texas and before the Montreal Expos moved to the nation's capital.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is set for 4:30 p.m. ET Monday. Moore ensured Washington will play host to at least two playoff games this postseason with his timely hit.

"He's got a great future," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said of Moore, chosen in the 16th round of the 2008 draft. "All of my young guys have done a great job."

With two outs and two men on, Johnson used Chad Tracy as a pinch-hitter for winning pitcher Ryan Mattheus. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny countered by bringing in left-hander Marc Rzepczynski, so Johnson sent up Moore.

Playing time was scarce for Moore in his rookie season as he was stuck behind first baseman Adam LaRoche, who had 33 homers and 100 RBI, and Morse, the left fielder.

But he found a comfort level among the many seasoned Nationals and did not shy away from his big moment Sunday.

"Mark DeRosa and the other veteran guys on the bench help me out, going through the pitchers and letting me know what can happen," Moore said. "It's helped me keep my heart rate down and just come up and try to put the ball in play."